The following review was written by John Page Williams, Editor-at-large, Chesapeake Bay Magazine. John, senior naturalist for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, has been a regular contributor to Chesapeake Bay Magazine for 30 years, specializing in environmental issues, nature, wildlife, fishing and boats. He has been testing new and used boats for the magazine's Time-Tested and New Boat News departments since 1998.

JUNE 2012

Length overall 22' 5"

Beam 8' 6"

Draft 1' 1" (drive up)

Transom Deadrise 18 deg.

Fuel 84 gal.

Water 10 gal

Max. Power 250 hp

Sea Hunt’s new Ultra 225 is a family-friendly center-console boat with amenities like a bow cushion, gunwale bolsters all around, a head in the console, a JBL stereo with four speakers, a bench seat at the stern, a swim platform, and an optional ski tow bar. At the same time, serious anglers can choose between several leaning post and tackle center options, a wiring harness for a bow-mount trolling motor, trim tabs, dual batteries with switch, a pair of livewells and a T-top with spray shield and gull wings for nasty weather.

The Ultra 225 rides on Sea Hunt’s Vortec hull—with a semi-V bottom with a deadrise that tapers from 18 degrees at the transom to 22 degrees amidships and a wave-cleaving 55 degrees at the bow. There’s a full-length lifting strake on each side of the keel, but in addition, the Vortec feature is a second pair of strakes that begin amidships at the keel and become a planing pad shortly aft. The result is an easy-running bottom that allows the Ultra 225 to perform well with Yamaha’s powerful but efficient F150 (cruise in the 20s to low 30s, top speed in the low 40s). For anglers who plan to work the boat hard, the optional trim tabs will complement the hull’s shape, enabling the skipper to dial her in for the very best rough-water performance. The boat’s classic Carolina flare and sheerline help keep spray outside, where it belongs.

Sea Hunt does not publish prices for its boats. Instead, the company asks potential customers to contact their nearest dealers by visiting www.seahuntboats.com. Sea Hunt Boats, Columbia, SC, 803-755-6539.